We all know the FBI was on to “Deep Throat,” though it turns out that was true in more ways than one.
Papers recently released to The Associated Press show that while “Deep Throat” the informant was helping to bring down Richard Nixon, the bureau was leading a full-fledged investigation into the notorious 1972 porn film of the same name. According to the 498 pages from director Gerard Damiano’s file – released after his death in October of last year — agents of the highest level in the FBI were on the case. Agents were sent out all across the U.S. to seize copies of the X-rated film in an attempt to have the movie banned. They analyzed negatives in labs (likely the most coveted job) and interviewed everyone from the film’s actors – most famously Linda Lovelace – and producers to messengers who delivered reels to theaters.
The FBI saw the film as a success of the sexual revolution, and the investigation was a failed attempt to stop the film from spreading and to pull the nation’s culture shift backward to a more reserved time. Government officials even sought to stop screenings of the films.
And even though he wasn’t the subject of the investigation, “Deep Throat” the informant does make an appearance — as Deputy Associate Director of the FBI W. Mark Felt. He initialed the top right corner of various entries in the file.
